Abstract

Background

The primary strategy to interrupt transmission of wild poliovirus in India is to improve
supplemental immunization activities and routine immunization coverage in priority
districts with a focus on 107 high-risk blocks of western Uttar Pradesh and central
Bihar. Villages or urban areas with a history of wild poliovirus transmission, or
hard-to-reach or resistant populations are categorized as high-risk areas within blocks.
The Social Mobilization Network (SM Net) was formed in Uttar Pradesh in 2003 to support
polio eradication efforts through improved planning, implementation and monitoring
of social mobilization activities in those high-risk areas. In this paper, we examine
the vaccination outcomes in districts of SM Net where the CORE Group works.

Methods

We carried out a secondary data analysis of routine monitoring information collected
by the SM Net and the Government of India. These data include information about vaccination
outcomes in SM Net areas and non-SM Net areas within the districts where the CORE
Group operates. Statistical analysis was used to compare, between SM Net and non-SM
Net areas, vaccination outcomes considered sensitive to social mobilization efforts
of the SM Net. We employed Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) statistical method
to account for Intra-cluster Correlation (ICC), and used 'Quasi-likelihood under the
independence model criterion (QIC)' as the model selection method.

Results

Vaccination outcomes in SM Net areas were as high as or higher than in non-SM Net
areas. There was considerable variation in vaccination outcomes between districts.

Conclusions

While not conclusive, the results suggest that the social mobilization efforts of
the SM Net and the CORE Group are helping to increase vaccination levels in high-risk
areas of Uttar Pradesh. Vaccination outcomes in CORE Group areas were equal or higher
than in non-CORE, non-SM Net areas. This occurred even though SM Net areas are those
with more community resistance to polio vaccination and/or are have harder-to-reach
populations than non-SM Net areas. Other likely explanations for the relatively good
vaccination performance in SM Net areas are not apparent.